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What is Academic Writing?

Here is an example of a paragraph written by a student in response to the question:

Success at university is simply a matter of being organised. Discuss

In this paragraph we can see all of the components of competent academic writing: clear structure, fluent writing,
accuracy in terms of spelling, grammar and punctuation and appropriate use of source readings. Most importantly,
like all good paragraphs, it makes one point clearly.

Take particular note of the way the sources are acknowledged. This is called referencing and each instance is called a
citation. There are different models of referencing. The following examples use the Harvard style. There are other
styles, so check with your lecturers and tutors regarding their preference.

This is a direct quote,


using the exact words
used by the author, so
it is placed inside
inverted commas.

‘………..’

Both are referenced.

Here the student has


included the findings
of research but has
written it in her own
words. This is a
The next thing the writer must do is provide full details of the citations included summary.
in the text. This is called a Reference List and it allows the reader to check the
accuracy of the information/ideas/concepts cited.

Reference List

Ditcher, A & Tetley, J 1999, Factors influencing university students’ academic success: what do students and
academics think?, University of Canterbury, New Zealand, viewed 02 October 2013, http://www.herdsa.org.au/wp-
content/uploads/conference/1999/pdf/Ditcher.pdf

The University of Queensland Student Services 2011-2012, Transitioning into University: a new guide for students
transitioning into the University of Queensland, University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus, viewed 29 September
2013, http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/sites/default/files/Transition_Guide_1.pdf
No stars in your essays please!!! This
was just to show you.
What is the point? Hmm? Why all the fuss about referencing?

We all have opinions. We all 'know' things. At university, your opinions and knowledge are only useful when you can
back them up. You back them up by referring to the writings and research of those who have already made it
through university. Think of them as your back-up singers: it is your song, but without them it will sound pretty
hollow.

You will read a lot over the course of a semester, and your assessment is likely to require you to write academic
essays using information and research you have read. But you can't pretend that this is your information or
research. You must acknowledge the work of those who did the research and wrote the books and journal articles.
(You will notice that they also acknowledge their sources. This never stops!)

The reason that your writing must be referenced is so that your reader/marker can clearly see where you have
gained this information/concepts or ideas. The academic value of your writing can then be evaluated and if they
wish, your marker can go back to the original source to find out whether you have been honest and accurate in your
use of data, ideas and information.

So when do you get to say what you think? Often you don't. Opinions are not always required by the question or
task. (Be careful here. Drifting towards opinion writing is a common error). The thing is that often you can select
your sources. You can decide which research or which writing to cite and in that decision, you will have some control
of the opinion expressed. Again, be careful and read the task instructions/topic and be sure that you know exactly
what it is you are being asked to do. Often you will be told which research or journal to use and in this case you must
use these prescribed readings.

There are several methods of incorporating scholarly information into your writing.

Paraphrasing Summarising Quoting


You include the idea/concept or You include the exact words from
You rewrite the idea/concept or research into your essay in a way the original text in your writing. You
information in your own words. that gives the gist, or essence, of must acknowledge that this is a
This will be approximately the same the idea/concept or information in direct quote by placing inverted
length as the original your own words. commas around it.
This will be much shorter than the Direct quotations must be used
original. sparingly.

Each of these inclusions must be acknowledged by including a citation that allows the
reader to locate that exact idea/concept/information in the original text.

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